Loss Aversion in Politics /

We study loss aversion in majority voting. First, we show a status quo bias. Second, loss aversion implies a moderating effect. Third, in a dynamic setting, the effect of loss aversion diminishes with the length of the planning horizon of voters; however, in the presence of a projection bias, major...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
1. Verfasser:
Alesina, Alberto
Körperschaft:
National Bureau of Economic Research
Weitere Verfasser:
Passarelli, Francesco
Format:
Elektronisch E-Book
Sprache:
Englisch
Veröffentlicht:
Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2015.
Zusammenfassung:
We study loss aversion in majority voting. First, we show a status quo bias. Second, loss aversion implies a moderating effect. Third, in a dynamic setting, the effect of loss aversion diminishes with the length of the planning horizon of voters; however, in the presence of a projection bias, majorities are partially unable to understand how fast they will adapt. Fourth, in a stochastic environment, loss aversion yields a significant distaste for risk, but also a smaller attachment to the status quo. The application of these results to a model of redistribution leads to empirically plausible implications.
Umfang:
1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);
Anmerkungen:
April 2015.
Schlagworte: